E15M 2009 Brief
I usually blog about E15M right after the event. Seems like there's always some drama that needs immediate attention, some conflict to solve, something that didn't go right that needs addressing.
But not so much this year, which is why I haven't felt the need to write yet. I had lots of fun, especially doing the makeup.
I think everyone had fun for the most part. There were a few little speed bumps, but nothing major. Most were interpersonal, but that may be inevitable when you bring together that many strong, creative, bossy people. This was the first time we've done two in one year - two in one week, in fact, so there was some tension, and some of it is taking time to disappate.
This crew knows their shit. As I get more organized and prepared every year, they need it less. We're settling into choosing our most accomplished camera operators, each of whom has a different but complimentary style. Little thigns I've had to ask for in the past just happen automatically now (I got half a dozen little slips of paper throughout both days with names of firefighters and paramedics...from whom I don't even know.)
Plus a lot of the footage looks really good. The main drama for me this year is that I spent so much time building myself up as a magic worker before the event, showing off fancy after efects work and saying "yes" to anythign they wanted without ever describing the process or our limitations, that the CCHS project lead, Barbara, ended up disappointed with the assembly. She sent an ice cold note that really bummed me out until I'd had some time to think about it. Then I connected with her and explained what I should have explained in the first place - the process of shooting, capturing, and rendering eat up 4/5 of an editor's work time. The fact they got a full 16 minute program with animation, special effects, music, and real drama is nothing short of a miracle. Once I'd given her that info, she saw it for what it is and offered a lot of praise. We're back on track now working on a program that is of such quality that I believe we will try to submit it for Emmy consideration.
We see a lot less of Anthony here at the house now that Rachel is in his life, which is sad for me personally even though I understand it, but he has definitely tried to step up to the plate business wise. He did a good job on the Pasadena overnighter, and though I stood by ready to offer help, he already has the skills and confidence to move forward. He's currently finishing a rough cut of the whole program, which he will then bring to me for polishing (kind of like a real studio process.) I'm dying to see what he's come up with. He doesn't sound confident, but I think he's probably just being a perfectionist.
I'm off to Santa Monica tomorrow to shoot some talking head stuff for AFCI, then back there again on Thursday for more talking heads and trade show floor footage. Thursday Ill be taking my niece Catherine, who is coming out for just that - a day or two experience as an intern. Free slave labor! Hah! Then we may try to go to Venice for the rest of the afternoon and/or drive up through Hollywood.
But not so much this year, which is why I haven't felt the need to write yet. I had lots of fun, especially doing the makeup.
I think everyone had fun for the most part. There were a few little speed bumps, but nothing major. Most were interpersonal, but that may be inevitable when you bring together that many strong, creative, bossy people. This was the first time we've done two in one year - two in one week, in fact, so there was some tension, and some of it is taking time to disappate.
This crew knows their shit. As I get more organized and prepared every year, they need it less. We're settling into choosing our most accomplished camera operators, each of whom has a different but complimentary style. Little thigns I've had to ask for in the past just happen automatically now (I got half a dozen little slips of paper throughout both days with names of firefighters and paramedics...from whom I don't even know.)
Plus a lot of the footage looks really good. The main drama for me this year is that I spent so much time building myself up as a magic worker before the event, showing off fancy after efects work and saying "yes" to anythign they wanted without ever describing the process or our limitations, that the CCHS project lead, Barbara, ended up disappointed with the assembly. She sent an ice cold note that really bummed me out until I'd had some time to think about it. Then I connected with her and explained what I should have explained in the first place - the process of shooting, capturing, and rendering eat up 4/5 of an editor's work time. The fact they got a full 16 minute program with animation, special effects, music, and real drama is nothing short of a miracle. Once I'd given her that info, she saw it for what it is and offered a lot of praise. We're back on track now working on a program that is of such quality that I believe we will try to submit it for Emmy consideration.
We see a lot less of Anthony here at the house now that Rachel is in his life, which is sad for me personally even though I understand it, but he has definitely tried to step up to the plate business wise. He did a good job on the Pasadena overnighter, and though I stood by ready to offer help, he already has the skills and confidence to move forward. He's currently finishing a rough cut of the whole program, which he will then bring to me for polishing (kind of like a real studio process.) I'm dying to see what he's come up with. He doesn't sound confident, but I think he's probably just being a perfectionist.
I'm off to Santa Monica tomorrow to shoot some talking head stuff for AFCI, then back there again on Thursday for more talking heads and trade show floor footage. Thursday Ill be taking my niece Catherine, who is coming out for just that - a day or two experience as an intern. Free slave labor! Hah! Then we may try to go to Venice for the rest of the afternoon and/or drive up through Hollywood.